Proactive Career Networking

Just keep on talking

Recently a client started talking with a potential employer about an open position.  The job was perfect but the compensation was a problem.  She called for advice.

I encouraged her to keep on talking and introduce alternatives for them to consider.  They had offered a base salary with a very small incentive.  I suggested expanding the incentive criteria to include all the objectives which the organization wanted this position to achieve.

Once they agreed to consider the additional categories they asked what structure she had in mind.  Rather than throw everything at them at once we took one category at a time and laid out how the incentive would work.

Some categories were very traditional, hit your target and get paid a fixed amount of money.  Others were more creative, hit the objective and a fixed amount gets added to her base.  The final twist was that some of the categories would be paid when the target was hit rather than waiting to the end of the year.

When the whole package was complete it provide an acceptable starting place for both parties and a great opportunity for my client.

Need someone to help you in your job search?  Want to talk to someone who has the experience to provide valuable guidance? Visit the Career Networking Pro website, http://www.CareerNetworkingPro.com, to learn how to get hooked up with an experienced career coach.  Read about the job search process in the new book, People Hire People – Not Resumes, http://www.careernetworkingpro.com/book.

What am I worth?

During a job search many candidates do not know what salary they should expect or how to find out about a potential employer.

One new sources of information is www.Glassdoor.com.   This site provides actual salary and comments from current employees along with their comments.

To have access to important information the visitor must be willing to share their current or past salary.  This give and take is how the site obtains their information.

Other sites to consider include; Jobster.com, Vault.com and Salary.com.

Need someone to help you in your job search?  Want to talk to someone who has the experience to provide valuable guidance? Visit the Career Networking Pro website, http://www.CareerNetworkingPro.com, to learn how to get hooked up with an experienced career coach.  Read about the job search process in the new book, People Hire People – Not Resumes, http://www.careernetworkingpro.com/book.

Never accept a job offer when it is given to you!

You finally get the phone call you have been waiting for. The hiring manager you have interviewed with five times is on the phone and offers you the position. He tells you the salary and says he would like you to start as soon as possible and then the phone goes silent.

The hiring manager is hoping that you will accept on the spot, set a start date and the process is over. For most, to say yes on the spot is their first instinct. Get this job search over and start a new job! If you have planned in advance you know that this can be a critical mistake. Once you say yes it is almost impossible to change conditions of employment.

Before you accept a position you need to make sure you clearly understand the benefits offered, which are rarely shared until an offer is extended, the details of how your first year bonus will be determined, are you eligible for relocation, a signing bonus, stock options or stock grants, and how much vacation you need in the first year to meet your personal commitments just to mention a few items to consider.

When an offer is extended thank the person that calls, express excitement about the opportunity and ask when they expect an answer. If a benefit package has not been provided ask that one be sent to you so that you can review it and make sure you do not have any questions. The commitment you should make is when you will call with questions on benefits or the offer. The bigger the change in your life style the longer the time they should be willing to provide.

You should have great concerns about any potential employer that pressures you to make a decision. If they apply pressure now what will they be like when you are an employee. A recent client received a job offer and immediately received pressure to make a decision. He was in the final stages of interviewing for another position and wanted to get feedback before he made the decision. The difference in how the two companies handled the offers had a great impact on his decision.

The first company called each day asking for a decision and ultimately gave him a deadline to make a decision. The second company provided the offer and asked how long he needed to make a decision. When he told both companies about the offers the first company become irritated and set a date that their offer would expire. The second company told him to take his time and make the best decision for himself. He ended up accepting the offer from the second company.

Are you unsure how to negotiate job offers? Want to talk to someone who can provide advice on how to maximize your job offer? Visit the Career Networking Pro website, http://www.careernetworkingpro.com, to learn how to take control of your search, receive the job offer you want and negotiate the best starting salary possible.

Can I ask for a severance agreement before starting a job?

You are expecting an offer in the next week.  At your last job you were let go four months into the job due to a reorganization.  Because of the short tenure you were only given two weeks severance.  Can I ask for an employment contract that would include additional severance?

Unless you are a senior executive you will not be offered an employment contract.  This does not mean that you cannot negotiate additional severance.  The first step is to research the company and industry to understand what employees are eligible to receive after two years of service.  You need to understand whether what you are asking is reasonable or not.

Prepare clear reasons that would trigger the severance package such as a reorganization or the selling of the company that eliminates your position.

Do not discuss the subject with your hiring manager until you have received but before you accept the offer.  When you discuss the subject with your hiring manager be honest and explain why you are asking for the exception. Demonstrate that you have done your homework to justify your request.  Make the point that unless these specific circumstances happen this will cost the employer nothing but will give you piece of mind.

If the employer agrees, make sure you get in writing.  Do not rely on a verbal commitment.  Be prepared that the employer will say no.  In this case thank the hiring manager for considering the request.

Not sure what is negotiable when you recieve a job offer?  Want to talk with someone that can provide advice to maximize your starting compensation with a new employer?  Visit the Career Networking Pro website, www.careernetworkingpro.com, and learn how to talk with someone to support you during negotiations.